500 Pages: InuOkko

Chapter 11

 "The death toll continues to rise even as the floodwaters from the tsunami recede. The small town on Sukuna Island may never recover from this tragedy. Later this afternoon, we'll hear from Gojo Satoru, a flood and earthquake survivor, discussing his plans to rebuild the island community," the news reporter stated, standing amidst a pile of nondescript rubble.

Toge attempted to grab the remote to switch the channel, only to realize he couldn't. Hospital rooms all seemed alike, at least the ones in the hospital he found himself in. His gaze shifted to the silent stump that used to be his left arm, now ending at what was once his elbow.

Beneath a thin black sleeve, gauze and bandages covered the grafted skin. His thigh still ached from where they had taken the skin. He grumbled wearily, leaning his head back against the pillow.

The door to his room creaked open. "Toge, they didn't have any chocolate pudding. Okkotsu insisted on waiting for it, but I think he's just stalling until he gets his coffee jelly," his mother said.

Toge huffed upon hearing his mother's voice. He frowned deeply, noticing how much she had aged in the past few days. Bags under her brown eyes resembled luggage.

"I couldn't find chocolate, but I got you matcha pudding. Do you want me to feed it to you or would you like to try again?" she asked, her voice hollow.

"You," Toge replied.

"Okay," she said.

She rustled the plastic utensil pack before finally retrieving the spoon. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, matching his own color. Toge had always known that, but it felt different seeing it as an adult.

"Are you still sure you don't want to come live with your dad and me? There's plenty of room at our house by the springs," she asked.

Toge shook his head.

It felt strange hearing her like this; she was usually tough. Had age softened her? Maybe the springs? No, Toge knew the real reason but didn't want to confront it.

"Okay. Well, if things change, there's always room for you," she said, her lips curling inward. "You'll always be my sweet boy."

Phrases like that made Toge tense. There was warmth behind his eyes he couldn't ignore. She might have been tough on him, but she was supportive. Just like him, his mother must have been hurting.

She held a spoonful of green pudding, waiting for Toge to take a bite. He bit down, trying to lighten the mood, not for himself but for her. Her sweet words made him uneasy yet almost brought tears to his eyes.

A knock interrupted them, followed by Yuuta's voice. "Can I come in?"

"Okkotsu, you don't have to ask," Toge's mother replied.

Yuuta entered, wearing a light blue t-shirt and black board shorts, smiling as he had done every day since the earthquake. His cheeks seemed perpetually strained, even during Toge's trip to the operating room, when it was just the two of them.

"Right?" Toge said, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, so you'll talk that easily for Okkotsu? I see how it is, ungrateful son," Toge's mom chuckled to herself.

Warmth accompanied Yuuta. Tokyo was foreign to Toge; he had left the island only once, with his father to a coastal meat market. Tokyo was much farther from the coastline.

"I got a coffee jelly and gave up," Yuuta said.

"I told you that's what he'd do," Toge's mom remarked.

"Where's Mr. Inumaki? I thought he'd be back by now," Yuuta asked, scanning the room as if Toge's hulking father could fit inside without being noticed.